Weighing in at 651 pounds, James, a 26 year old former football player from Fort Worth, Texas is the most obese person that trainer Chris Powell has ever worked with. Keep reading to find out what happened on tonight’s episode as James begins his weight loss journey.

Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition is the new reality show from ABC, which follows men and women as they try to lose weight and improve their lives. Tonight’s participant, James needs to become healthier because it’s a life or death matter. During his senior year of high school, James got injured and could no longer play football. He has been described as “an athlete-turned-geek” because he excelled in the information technology industry. With his new life in the office he put in long hours behind a desk becoming very inactive. During late night work sessions, James says he saw his weight skyrocket as he indulged in fast food.

Now, not only does James want to lose weight to become a healthier individual, but he also wants to shed the extra pounds to see his mom happy again. James says that his mother has had a lot of loss in her life and he doesn’t want her to have any more pain. Imagining his future, James would like to one day have a wife and children and live a long, healthy life.

James knows he faces a lot of intense, physical, emotional and mental work ahead. After Chris surprises James at the gym, he stocks James’ refrigerator with healthy food and redesigns his house with exercise equipment. Chris also moves in with James for three months to help James attain his goal.

For Phase One James must lose 150 pounds. It’s now time for his three month weigh-in. James steps on the scale and the scale says 497 pounds, so James lost 154 pounds! James has told Chris how much he misses doing everyday things people take for granted–especially riding a bike so Chris got James a bike he can ride.

As James embarked on the next part of his transformation he got pneumonia and was admitted into the hospital for one week. Not only did he lose a week exercising but in the days after he wasn’t feeling better and still could follow his regiment. It’s now time for his sixth month weigh-in and James is 486 pounds, so he only lost 11 pounds. Chris isn’t happy and wants James to find the drive he had when he first began.

Chris decides to take James to work with some professional football players. After completing the vigorous workout, James is more determined than ever to hit his goal weight.

For Phase Three, James wanted to lose 90 pounds. The day of James’ nine month weigh-in is here. He steps on the scale and it says 394 pounds therefore James met his goal. Looking to continue all of his hard work, James goes home for the final three months.

It’s now time for James’ final weigh-in and all of his family and friends are packed into the football stadium to see his progress. When James walks out, the attendees are overcome with happiness seeing the true transformation James has undergone. When he steps onto the scale for his final weigh-in, the scale reads 338 pounds totaling 313 pounds lost! Chris is so proud of James and the two embrace before Chris surprises James with two tickets to the Super Bowl.